Improvement in vault-covers



UNITED STATES PATENT `()EEICE.

E. S. BOYNTON, OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN vAu| Toovx-:P.sl

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 35,9111, dated June 23, 1853; antedated January 3, 1862.

To all whom it may concern: v

y Be it known that I, E. S. BoYN'roN, of Alexandria, in the State of Virginia, have invented a new and improved mode of making vault-covers for ventilating and admitting light into subterranean or lower apartments where ordinary windows cannot be made 5 and I do detail the following as a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Figure l is a top view. Fig. 2 is a side view in section. Fig. 3 is an end view in section.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction of a metallic frame, with sash iitted into it with glass, and the sash made to slide over each other, as in ordinary windows, so that either sash may be opened at pleasure for the admission of air, while the glass is protected by an iron grating or cover against being broken or defaced by persons passing over it.

This invention is designed chiefly to light up apartments constructed under sidewalks of large cities, but may be applied to hatchways or decks of vessels, or to such other places as cannot be readily lighted by common windows.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

A B G D represent a top view of a castiron rectangular frame ready to be used for Ventilating and admitting light. This frame I make of any required size, with beads on its inner and outer sides for the sash to t and slide upon, as shown in the sectional drawings 2 and 3, the beads on the outside admitting a continuation of frames and sashes, and so arranged th at the water falling within the frame shall pass onto the glass, as in Figs. 2 and 3, from the upper sash, F, to the lower sash, G, then out by the opening H. These sashes may be slid backward and forward, or opened and closed by cords and pulleys, if desired.

In order to protect the sash I place above them an iron grating, with the bars to close together as not to hinder persons walking over or on them, and yet sufficiently far apart to admit of plenty of light. The grating shown is formed of wrought-iron bars of triangular shape, as shown in Fig. 3, (marked m m m,) and secured in a frame,which is made to iit on the cast-iron frame holding the sash, and is held in place by lugs, so as to be capable of ready removal when desired. But while only this form of grating is shown, as

.one obstructing very little the passage of light, it is obvious that this cover for the protection ofthe glass may be of perforated castiron plates, with openings of any desired form for the admission of light, regard being had, in whatever form they may be made, to leave room for the admission of sufficient light, and yet render them as agreeable to walk upon as practicable.

The extended surface of glass here shown will aEord ample light, although protected as above explained, and much more, it is b elieved, than by any plan for the same purpose now known. Besides, it is cheaper, and simply by sliding the sash one over the other, it gives to underground apartments all the ventilation of open windows.

With these frames placed in the -lower doors of stores or other buildings well lighted they will light the cellars at little cost, and thus add greatly to their value.

The sides of these' frames act as girders to support the superincumbent weight, as well as for holding the sash, and each frame may be made separate, and several be joined together, or a single frame may have several longitudinal ribs beaded, as are the sides of the frame with sash with glass fitted in between each, which would increase its strength and combine in one frame more glass.

Where these frames are placed in the side pavements, they are intended to take the place of the pavement, and would extend from the building to the curbstone, it' necessary to light the whole space underneath, presenting the appearance of a cast-iron or grated pavement.

The water which falls must be free to pass off from the glass into the street, and openin combination with sash, with glass tted and sliding therein, the glass being protected by an open iron grating or perforated cover, constructed substantially as described.

E. S. BOYNTON.

Witnesses:

H. CARTER DoRsEY, O. A. BoYNToN. 

